Working Group on Biodiversity Observatory Automation

Cover 2

The Thematic Services Working Groups

The LifeWatch ERIC Thematic Services, co-developed by the LifeWatch ERIC Common Facilities and National Distributed Centres, are a key component of the 2022-2026 Infrastructure Strategic Working Plan (SWP). They represent the main priority areas of e-Service construction in LifeWatch ERIC proposed by the National Distributed Centres.

Activities, developments and physical outcomes of the LifeWatch ERIC Thematic Services, as e-Services, Virtual Labs (vLabs) and more complex and complete Virtual Research Environments (VREs), are planned to be implemented by Thematic Service Working Groups participated by scientists from both the National Distributed Centres and the Common Facilities, with an overall coordination of the LifeWatch ERIC Service Centre.

remote

Biodiversity Observatory Automation

A brief overview

The Biodiversity Observatory Automation Working Group aims to review and update the requirements for effective biodiversity assessment at a time of unprecedented environmental change and biodiversity loss. Biodiversity assessment faces several challenges, including time-intensive fieldwork, demanding post-fieldwork data processing and limited storage capacity. However, advances in the automation of data collection, increasing computing power and the integration of artificial intelligence offer promising solutions.

The first international meeting (https://www.lifewatch.eu/thematic-services-working-groups/biodiversity-observatory-automation) on this topic took place in Slovenia in April 2024. It brought together experts to share key achievements, address obstacles in monitoring and observational methods and discuss the needs and concerns of the various stakeholders.

The working group will explore modern approaches to biodiversity monitoring and detection, ranging from aerial observations to eDNA analysis. Efforts will focus on optimising data collection, improving data curation and exploration, using artificial intelligence and applying FAIR data principles to enable the creation of digital twins.

Through these initiatives, the group aims to improve biodiversity monitoring methods and close current gaps in order to find effective answers to global environmental challenges.

Shape the future of biodiversity assessment with us! Stay engaged with the Biodiversity Observatory Automation Working Group as we explore innovative technologies  – from AI-powered analysis to automated data collection – that are transforming biodiversity monitoring. Engage with scientists and experts, access valuable resources and contribute to innovative solutions that improve our understanding of ecosystems in a rapidly changing world.

Key Objectives

The aim of the working group “Automating the Biodiversity Observatory” is to review and update the requirements for effective biodiversity assessment at a time of unprecedented environmental change and biodiversity loss. We will:

  1. Identify and integrate cutting-edge technologies, such as machine learning, remote sensing, and eDNA analysis, to improve biodiversity assessment.
  2. Reduce reliance on labor-intensive fieldwork by promoting automation.
  1. Develop efficient and scalable methods for biodiversity data collection and curation.
  2. Improve data storage, accessibility, and interoperability to support global research efforts.
  1. Leverage machine learning and computational models for species identification, habitat mapping, and ecological trend analysis.
  2. Automate data interpretation to enhance monitoring accuracy and efficiency.
  1. Ensure that biodiversity data is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR).
  2. Develop standardized data-sharing protocols for improved collaboration.
  1. Strengthen global partnerships by organising conferences, workshops, and networking events.
  2. Share best practices and insights to create a unified approach to automated biodiversity assessment.
  1. Create virtual models of ecosystems to simulate environmental changes and predict biodiversity responses.
  2. Use simulation scenarios for planning and impact assessments in conservation efforts.

Photo by Bitnik Gao on Pexels

Coordinators

Timeline

Meetings, Webinars, International Conferences & Networking (2025/2026)
Organising and participating at discussions on emerging technologies in biodiversity monitoring
Collaborative Research & Case Studies (2025/2026)
Conducting pilot projects to test new monitoring methods. Publishing scientific and popular science papers and reports on advancements in biodiversity assessment.
Data Standardisation & FAIR Principles Implementation (2025/2026)
Developing best practices for data curation and sharing. Ensuring biodiversity data aligns with FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) standards.
Development of VREs for Ecosystem Simulation (2026)
Creating virtual models of ecosystems to predict environmental changes. ∙Enhancing conservation strategies through AI-driven simulations.

Meetings, Webinars, International Conferences & Networking (2025/2026)

  • Organising and participating at discussions on emerging technologies in biodiversity monitoring;
  • Organising webinars on machine learning, eDNA analysis, and automated data collection;
  • Fostering collaboration between researchers, technologists, and decision-makers.

Collaborative Research & Case Studies (2025/2026)

  • Conducting pilot projects to test new monitoring methods;
  • Publishing scientific and popular science papers and reports on advancements in biodiversity assessment.

Data Standardisation & FAIR Principles Implementation (2025/2026)

  • Developing best practices for data curation and sharing;
  • Ensuring that biodiversity data aligns with FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) standards.

Development of VREs for Ecosystem Simulation (2026)

  • Creating virtual models of ecosystems to predict environmental changes;
  • Enhancing conservation strategies through AI-driven simulations.

Policy Relevance and Uptake

  • End of May 2026 – Policy-brief to demonstrate the application of habitat-based mapping in supporting EU strategies (e.g., Biodiversity Strategy, Nature Restoration Law).

Mapping user requirements

  • End of January 2025 – Catalogue of services already available in LifeWatch ERIC or research lines addressing ecological responses to climate change;
  • February 2025 (TBD) – Online working table on setting priorities, timeline and milestones for the mapping service and model requirements by scientists and science stakeholders.
Greece

The Greek National Distributed Centre is funded by the Greek General Secretariat of Research and Technology and is coordinated by the Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, in conjunction with 47 associated partner institutions.

To know more about how Greece contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.

Italy

The Italian National Distributed Centre is led and managed by the Italian National Research Council (CNR) and is coordinated by a Joint Research Unit, currently comprising 35 members. Moreover, Italy hosts one of the LifeWatch ERIC Common Facilities, the Service Centre.

To know more about how Italy contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.

Netherlands

The Dutch National Distributed Centre is hosted by the Faculty of Science of the University of Amsterdam. Moreover, The Netherlands hosts one of the LifeWatch ERIC Common Facilities, the Virtual Laboratory and Innovation Centre.

To know more about how The Netherlands contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.

Portugal

The Portuguese National Distributed Centre is managed by PORBIOTA, the Portuguese e-Infrastructure for Information and Research on Biodiversity. Led by BIOPOLIS/CIBIO-InBIO – Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, PORBIOTA connects the principal Portuguese research institutions working in biodiversity.

To know more about how Portugal contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.

Slovenia

The Slovenian National Distributed Centre is led by the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU). It focuses on the development of technological solutions in the field of biodiversity and socio-ecosystem research.

To know more about how Slovenia contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.

Spain

The Spanish National Distributed Centre is supported by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the Regional Government of Andalusia and the Guadalquivir River Basin Authority (Ministry for Ecological Transition-MITECO). Moreover, Spain is the hosting Member State of LifeWatch ERIC, the location of its Statutory Seat & ICT e-Infrastructure Technical Office (LifeWatch ERIC Common Facilities). 

To know more about how Spain contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.

Bulgaria

The Bulgarian National Distributed Centre is represented by the  Agricultural University-Plovdiv.

To know more about how Bulgaria contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.

Implementing services

  • End of January 2025 – Internal distribution of a questionnaire on the most used/relevant model resources in the WG member research activity;
  • February 2025 (TBD) – Online working table on setting priorities, timeline and milestones for the mapping service and model requirements by scientists and science stakeholders.

Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building

  • End of December 2025 – Create a shared repository of guidance documents, tools, templates, and data resources accessible to WG members and broader communities.

Organising WG workshops and conferences

  • End of January 2025 – Setting priority research lines and contributions to the BEeS 2025 LifeWatch Conference for the session on the “Ecological responses to climate change”;
  • March/April 2025 (TBD) – Workshop ‘Ecological modelling and eco-informatics to address functional responses of biodiversity and ecosystems to climate change’ co-organised with the University of Salento;
  • 30 June – 3 July 2025 – Participation to LifeWatch 2025 BEeS Conference on “Addressing the Triple Planetary Crisis”.

Fund raising

  • End of January 2025 – Establishing a WG Committee on scouting project application opportunities and fundraising.

Mapping Requirements and Gap Analysis

  • End of December 2025 – Catalogue of services already available in LifeWatch ERIC or research lines Ecosystem services mapping.

Methodological Alignment and Innovation

  • End of January 2026 – Online working table on mapping standards, classification systems, and indicators across members;
  • End of January 2026 – Catalogue of advanced techniques (e.g., remote sensing, GIS modelling, and machine learning) for scalable, habitat-based ecosystem service mapping;
  • End December 2026 – Methodological framework to support methodological innovation through joint development and testing of mapping approaches, especially linking ecosystem service supply and demand.
Belgium

The Belgian National Distributed Centre makes varied and complementary in-kind contributions to LifeWatch ERIC. These are implemented in the form of long-lasting projects by various research centres and universities distributed throughout the country and supported by each respective political authority.

To know more about how Belgium contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.